Electronic identification system with improved sensitivity

ABSTRACT

The electronic identification system provides two-way communications between reader and tags using alternating magnetic fields established by the reader and tag. Communication is accomplished by utilizing either a one-step or a two-step modulation process in which the information to be communicated either modulates an alternating magnetic field directly or modulates a periodic signal which modulates an alternating magnetic field. The coil in the reader that is used to establish an alternating magnetic field is transformer-coupled through capacitors to a push-pull driving circuit consisting of four field-effect transistors connected in a bridge arrangement. The coil, capacitors, and coupling circuitry are maintained in a tuned condition by continually adjusting either the driving frequency, the coil inductance, or the capacitor capacitance during communications. A tag utilizes a coil to couple with the reader&#39;s alternating magnetic field and a capacitor to resonate the coil, thereby extracting power from the field more efficiently. Transformer coupling of the coil and capacitor is utilized for improved impedance matching. The coil, capacitor, and coupling circuitry can be maintained in a tuned condition by continually adjusting either the coil inductance, or the capacitor capacitance during communications. Certain configurations of the system may require that tuning maintenance be discontinued during the transmission of data.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/064,380,filed Jul. 8, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to cooperative identification systems (which hadtheir electronic beginnings in World War II as Identification—Friend orFoe Systems) in which the identifying agency and the object to beidentified cooperate in the identification process according to aprearranged scheme. More specifically, the invention relates to systemsconsisting generically of an interrogator (or “reader”) inductivelycoupled to a transponder (or “tag”) where the reader is associated withthe identifying agency and the tag is associated with the object to beidentified.

Such systems are being used or have the potential of being used foridentifying fish, birds, animals, or inanimate objects such as creditcards. Some of the more interesting applications involve objects ofsmall size which means that the transponder must be minute. In manycases it is desirable to permanently attach the tag to the object whichmeans implantation of the device in the tissues of living things andsomewhere beneath the surfaces of inanimate objects. In most cases,implantation of the tag within the object forecloses the use ofconventional power sources for powering the tag. Sunlight will usuallynot penetrate the surface of the object. Chemical sources such asbatteries wear out and cannot easily be replaced. Radioactive sourcesmight present unacceptable risks to the object subject toidentification. One approach to powering the tag that has beensuccessfully practiced for many years is to supply the tag with powerfrom the reader by means of an alternating magnetic field generated bythe reader. This approach results in a small, highly-reliable tag ofindefinite life and is currently the approach of choice.

For many applications, convenience and utility dictate that the readerbe hand portable which translates into the use of batteries to power theunit. However, the size and weight of batteries having the requisitecapacity to perform the identification function at reasonable rangeswithout interruption challenge the very concept of hand-portability. Thetwin goals of ease of use and system performance have been the subjectof uneasy compromise in the past. There is a need to harness the recentadvances in technology to the design of energy efficient systems inorder to realize the full potential of identification systems based oninductive coupling.

As identification systems of this type proliferate and users multiply,it becomes important to recognize this changing environment in thedesign of next-generation identification apparatus. Newer-model readersshould be able to read older-model tags. Users' privacy and securityinterests must be respected—one user should not be able to read anotheruser's tags. And finally, in this computer-driven world, it must bepossible to conveniently interface readers with computers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The electronic identification system with improved sensitivity providestwo-way communication between reader and tag by a one-step or two-stepmodulation process in which the information to be communicated eithermodulates an alternating magnetic field directly or modulates a periodicsignal which modulates an alternating magnetic field.

Generally, in order to obtain the highest possible communicationsensitivity, the coil and capacitor in both reader and tag aremaintained at or near a state of resonance while communications aretaking place by adjusting either intermittently or continually thefrequency of the coil driving signal, the inductance of the coil, or thecapacitance of the capacitor in the reader and the inductance of thecoil or the capacitance of the capacitor in the tag. It may be desirablein certain situations, in order to realize the best communicationperformance, to maintain the coil and capacitor near resonance but notin a state of resonance.

In order to maximize the alternating magnetic field produced by thereader coil, the driving signal is tailored to the characteristics ofthe resonant circuit so that the highest possible coil current isachieved. In this regard, the coil is driven push-pull by means ofhigh-power field-effect transistors connected in a bridge arrangement.Highly effective impedance matching is achieved by transformer couplingof the coil and the driver and capacitors.

Transformer coupling of the tag coil to the other devices and circuitsin the tag is used in order to satisfy the diverse matching requirementsimposed by these other devices and circuits.

The system utilizes maximum-likelihood procedures for identifying thebits represented by the signals transmitted by reader and tag. Themaximum-likelihood procedures requires a precise knowledge of thebeginning and ending of each bit period which is accomplished by abit-timing clock signal which originates in a reader and is communicatedby the reader to each tag with which it communicates. Both the readerand the tag utilize this common bit-timing clock signal for timing theirbit transmissions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the block diagram of the identification reader and tag.

FIG. 2 is the schematic drawing of the direct-connection embodiment ofthe coupling means that is used in the reader.

FIG. 3 is the schematic drawing of the first embodiment of thetwo-winding-transformer coupling means that is used in the reader.

FIG. 4 is the schematic drawing of the second embodiment of thetwo-winding-transformer coupling means that is used in the reader.

FIG. 5 is the schematic drawing of the three-winding transformerembodiment of the coupling means that is used in the reader.

FIG. 6 is the block diagram of the first embodiment of theresonance-tracking demodulator in the reader.

FIG. 7 is the block diagram of the second embodiment of theresonance-tracking demodulator in the reader.

FIG. 8 is the block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the driver inthe reader.

FIG. 9 is the flow diagram of the preferred embodiment of the subroutinethat controls the operations of the microprocessor in the reader whenthe reader is sending a message to the tag.

FIG. 10 is the flow diagram of the first embodiment of the subroutinethat controls the operations of the microprocessor in the reader whenthe reader is receiving a message from the tag.

FIG. 11 is the flow diagram of the second embodiment of the subroutinethat controls the operations of the microprocessor in the reader whenthe reader is receiving a message from the tag.

FIG. 12 is the schematic drawing of the direct-connection embodiment ofthe coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 13 is the schematic drawing of the first embodiment of thetwo-winding-transformer coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 14 is the schematic drawing of the second embodiment of thetwo-winding-transformer coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 15 is the schematic drawing of the three-winding transformerembodiment of the coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 16 is the schematic drawing of the four-winding transformerembodiment of the coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 17 is the schematic drawing of the five-winding transformerembodiment of the coupling means that is used in the tag.

FIG. 18 is the block diagram of the preferred embodiment of theresonance-tracking modem in the tag.

FIG. 19 is the flow diagram for a method of determining the frequency ofa single cycle of a frequency-shift-keyed signal.

FIG. 20 is the flow diagram for a method of determining the frequency ofa frequency-shift-keyed signal during a bit period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The functional block diagram for the preferred embodiment of theelectronic identification system with improved sensitivity is shown inFIG. 1. The basis of communications between the reader 1 and the tag 3is an alternating magnetic field established by the coil 5 of thereader. In order to maximize the magnetic field and the range ofcommunication, the coil is connected by means of the coupling circuit 7to capacitors 9 to form a series-resonant circuit. Two capacitors areused so as to facilitate the use of a push-pull driver 11 which suppliesan alternating current to the series-resonant circuit.

The frequency of the alternating current supplied by the driver 11,typically between 100 and 400 kHz, is derived from the frequency of thesignal supplied by the voltage-controlled oscillator/clock generatingcircuit (VCO/CGC) 13 which in turn is controlled by a signal supplied bythe resonance-tracking demodulator 15. Overall control of theresonance-tracking demodulator is exercised by the microprocessor 17.

The resonance-tracking demodulator 15 performs two functions. Onefunction is to maintain the series-resonant circuit comprising coil 5and capacitors 9 in a state of resonance or near to a state ofresonance. When the reader ages or experiences environmental changes aswhen the temperature changes or when the reader is moved about in searchof a tag, the resonant frequency of the coil/capacitor circuit canchange. If the driving frequency is fixed, the circuit may be operatingin a non-optimum tuning condition thereby adversely affecting thecommunication range of the system.

In order to achieve improved performance, the resonance-trackingdemodulator 15 maintains the coil/capacitor circuit in a resonant ornear-resonant condition by either (1) adjusting the frequency of thesignal supplied to the driver 11 by the VCO/CGC 13 so that the drivingfrequency of the coil/capacitor circuit is the same or nearly the sameas the resonant frequency of the circuit or (2) adjusting the inductanceof coil 5 or the capacitance of capacitors 9 (as indicated by the dashedcontrol lines) to maintain the resonant frequency of the coil/capacitorcircuit the same or nearly the same as the driving frequency.

The resonance-tracking demodulator 15 determines the state of resonanceof the coil/capacitor circuit by varying either the frequency of the VCOin the VCO/CGC 13, the inductance of the coil 5, or the capacitance ofthe capacitors 9 and observing the amplitude and/or the phase of thesignals appearing at terminals 1 and 4 of the coupling circuit 7.

The second function of the resonance-tracking demodulator 15 is toextract the amplitude or phase variations of the signal appearing acrossthe coil 5, the extracted information being used in maintaining thecoil/capacitor circuit in resonance or near resonance and in extractingthe data transmitted by the tag 3 to the reader 1.

The tag 3 transmits data to the reader 1 by modulating the magneticfield produced by coil 5 in accordance with the data to be transmitted.This modulation is manifested at terminals 1 and 4 of the couplingcircuit 7 and demodulation is accomplished by the resonance-trackingdemodulator 15 using the signals at terminals 1 and 4 and signalssupplied by the VCO/CGC 13.

A user exercises overall control of the reader 1 by means of an RS-232Cinterface to the microprocessor 17 or by means of a user-exercisedtactile interface to the control unit 21 which interfaces with themicroprocessor.

A display unit 23 driven by the microprocessor 17 provides informationto the user as to the status of the system and displays the datareceived from a tag.

The circuit structure of the tag 3 parallels in many respects that ofthe reader 1. The coil 50 is coupled through the coupling circuit 53 tothe capacitor 55, thereby forming a resonant circuit.

When the tag 3 is transmitting data to the reader 1, theresonance-tracking modem 57 supplies signals to the driver 59 whichdrives the coil/capacitor resonant circuit at the frequency of thealternating magnetic field in accordance with the data supplied to theresonance-tracking modem by the microprocessor 61.

When the tag 3 is receiving data from the reader 1, theresonance-tracking modem 57 demodulates the signals appearing atterminals 5 and 10 of the coupling circuit 53 and supplies the resultingbinary signal to the microprocessor 61.

For best performance in either the transmit or receive mode, thecoil/capacitor circuit in the tag should be operating at or nearresonance. This condition is achieved by means of the resonance-trackingmodem 57 which monitors the reader-originated signal appearing atterminals 5 and 10 of the coupling circuit 53, thereby determining theappropriate correction to be made in coil inductance or capacitorcapacitance to achieve a condition of resonance.

A computer interface terminal is provided on the tag for the purpose ofinstalling programs and data in the microprocessor 61 and testing thetag circuitry.

The AC/DC power converter 63 converts the received reader signalappearing at terminals 1 and 4 of the coupling circuit 53 to DC which isused to power all of the other active circuits in the tag 3.

Four alternative embodiments of the reader coupling circuit 7 are shownin FIGS. 2 through 5. The terminal numbers correspond to the terminalnumbers shown on the coupling circuit 7 in FIG. 1.

The coupling circuit of FIG. 2 directly connects the coil 5 and thecapacitors 9. The resonance-tracking demodulator 15 is connecteddirectly across the coil 5.

The coupling circuits of FIGS. 3 and 4 utilize a transformer to achievea better match between the driver 11 and the load represented by the tag3 when the field generated by reader coil 5 couples with the tag coil50, thereby achieving a greater transfer of power between the reader 1and the tag 3. The resonance-tracking demodulator 15 can be connected toeither the transformer primary winding (FIG. 3) or the secondary winding(FIG. 4), depending on the voltage requirement of the resonance-trackingdemodulator.

The coupling circuit of FIG. 5 provides a separate winding for drivingthe resonance-tracking demodulator 15 thereby permitting the voltageacross coil 5 to be tailored in magnitude to the needs of the device.

An embodiment of the resonance-tracking demodulator 15 which utilizes afrequency-modulating, zero-average, square-wave signal C_(fm) applied tothe frequency-control terminal of the VCO/CGC 13 to discover the stateof resonance of the coil/capacitor circuit 5, 7, and 9 is shown in FIG.6. The VCO/CGC supplies C_(fm) to the analog signal summer 73 whichpasses it through to the frequency control terminal of the VCO/CGC withthe result that the frequency of the VCO alternates between two valuesat the modulating frequency f_(fm) that is a submultiple of thefrequency f_(drive) of the driving signal supplied by the driver 11 tothe coil/capacitor circuit 5, 7, and 9. The difference between the twoVCO frequency values typically equals the VCO frequency f_(VCO) dividedby 2Q where Q is the Q of the coil/capacitor circuit 5, 7, and 9.

The amplitude demodulator 75 extracts a signal proportional to theamplitude of the signal appearing across coil 5, and the extractedsignal is processed together with the C_(fm) supplied by the VCO/CGC 13in the balanced mixer 77 wherein the extracted signal is reversed insign each time C_(fm) takes on a particular one of its two values.

The output signal from the balanced mixer 77 is offset by the fixed biasvoltage prior to being fed into the sampled integrator 79.

The sampled integrator 79 continually integrates the signal from thebalanced mixer 77, samples the integration in accordance with the bitrate clock C_(br) supplied by the VCO/CGC 13, and maintains each sampledintegration value at its output port until the next sample is obtained.The bit rate clock C_(br) has a frequency f_(br) equal to the rate atwhich bits are transmitted between the reader 1 and a tag 3. Thequantities f_(fm) and f_(br) are chosen such that f_(fm)/f_(br) is aninteger.

The output of the sampled integrator 79 is combined with C_(fm) in theanalog signal summer 73 and the sum signal controls the instantaneousfrequency of the VCO in the VCO/CGC 13. The sampled integrator componentof the output of the analog signal summer controls the average frequencyof the VCO. The steady-state value of the sampled integrationcorresponds to the VCO control voltage for which the driver 11 frequencyf_(drive) is offset from the resonant frequency of the coil/capacitorcircuit by an amount determined by the magnitude of the bias voltage andin a direction determined by the sign of the bias voltage.

If the resonant frequency of the coil/capacitor circuit 5, 7, and 9changes as a result of a change in coupling of the field of reader coil5 to tag coil 50, the sampled integration will change so as to bringabout an equivalent change in the driver 11 average frequency.

In an alternative arrangement, the signal from the sampled integrator79, instead of entering the analog signal summer 73 and controlling thefrequency of the VCO in the VCO/CGC 13, maintains the coil/capacitorcircuit 5, 7, and 9 in resonance by controlling either the inductance ofcoil 5 or the capacitance of capacitors 9. Under these circumstances,the average frequency of the VCO is continually maintained at someconstant value.

In still another alternative arrangement, C_(fm) modulates either theinductance of coil 5 (e.g. by means of a saturable reactor in the fieldof the coil) or the capacitances of capacitors 9 (e.g. by selectivelyconnecting individual capacitors in parallel or by a plurality ofvoltage-controlled capacitors) instead of the frequency of the VCO.

A tag may use either phase shift keying or frequency shift keying fortransmitting data to a reader. In the case of phase shift keying, thedata transmitted by a tag appears as amplitude modulation of the signalfrom the coupling circuit 7 at a frequency f_(dm0) which, like f_(fm),is also a submultiple of the driving frequency f_(drive). The quotientf_(dm0)/f_(br), like f_(fm)/f_(br), is also an integer. A bit is isidentified by determining the phase of the amplitude modulation withreference to the beginning of the bit period. A “0” bit is associatedwith zero-phase amplitude modulation—amplitude modulation that is highfor the first half-period of the modulation waveform. A “1” bit isassociated with a 180-degree-phase amplitude modulation—amplitudemodulation that is low for the first half-period of the modulationwaveform.

In the case of frequency shift keying, the data transmitted by a tagappears as amplitude modulation of the signal from the coupling circuit7 at a frequency f_(dm0) when a “0” bit is being transmitted and at afrequency f_(dm1) when a “1” bit is being transmitted. The frequenciesf_(dm0) and f_(dm1), like f_(fm), are also submultiples of the drivingfrequency f_(drive). The quotients and f_(dm0)/f_(br), likef_(fm)/f_(br), are also integers. A bit is identified by determining thefrequency of the amplitude modulation with reference to the beginning ofthe bit period. A “0” bit is associated with the frequency f_(dm0) and a“1” bit is associated with the frequency f_(dm1).

The determination of phase is made by multiplying in the balanced mixer81 the signal from the amplitude demodulator 75 by a zero-phase,zero-average square wave C_(dm0) of frequency f_(dm0) supplied by theVCO/CGC 13 and integrating the product over each bit period in thesampled integrator 83, the integration value for each bit period beingmaintained at the output port of the sampled integrator until theintegration for the next bit period becomes available. The beginning andending of the integration periods are indicated by the bit rate clockC_(br) since the tag transmits its bits in synchronism with the bit-rateclock C_(br).

The use of frequency modulation requires two balanced mixers 81 and 82and two sampled integrators 83 and 84. The determination of frequency ismade by multiplying in the balanced mixer 81 the signal from theamplitude demodulator 75 by a zero -phase, zero-average square waveC_(dm0) of frequency f_(dm0) supplied by the VCO/CGC 13 and integratingthe product over each bit period in the sampled integrator 83, theintegration value for each bit period being maintained at the outputport of the sampled integrator until the integration for the next bitperiod becomes available. Also, the signal from the amplitudedemodulator 75 is multiplied in the balanced mixer 82 by a zero-phase,zero-average square wave C_(dm1) of frequency fame supplied by theVCO/CGC 13 and integrating the product over each bit period in thesampled integrator 84, the integration value for each bit period beingmaintained at the output port of the sampled integrator until theintegration for the next bit period becomes available. The beginning andending of the integration periods are indicated by the bit rate clockC_(br) since the tag transmits its bits in synchronism with the bit-rateclock C_(br).

The clock signals C_(dm0) and C_(dm1) are square waves with zero averagevalues, and consequently, a signal with frequency f_(dm0) from theamplitude demodulator 75 will result in a positive value at the sampledintegrator 83 output port and a zero value at the sampled integrator 84output port. Similarly, a signal with f_(dm1) from the amplitudedemodulator 75 will result in a zero value at the sampled integrator 83output port and a positive value at the sampled integrator 84 outputport. Thus, the microprocessor 17 can identify a received bit from themagnitudes of the signals at the outputs of the sampled integrators 83and 84.

The frequencies f_(fm), f_(dm0), and f_(dm1) are chosen such that thequotients f_(fm)/f_(br), f_(dm0)/f_(br), and f_(dm1)/f_(br) differ by aninteger so that the resonance tracking process and the data extractionprocesses will not interfere.

There are many existing tags that utilize frequency-shift-keying forsending data to a reader and are not bit-synchronized with the reader.The zero-crossing detector 85 together with software routines in themicroprocessor 17 serve to extract the data from such signals. Thezero-crossing detector produces a square wave signal wherein the zerocrossings coincide with those of the signal out of the amplitudedemodulator 75. The software demodulation routines will be discussedlater.

An alternative embodiment of the resonance-tracking modem 15 whichutilizes a phase-locked loop to maintain a state of resonance ornear-resonance in the coil/capacitor circuit is shown in FIG. 7.

When the coil/capacitor circuit 5, 7, and 9 is not in resonance, thevoltage across the coil 5 is approximately in phase or a half-cycle outof phase with the driving voltage from driver 11. This situation isrecognized by passing the signal at terminals 1 and 4 of the couplingcircuit 7 through a hard limiter 95 which removes any amplitudevariations and then mixing the result with the zero-average, square-waveclock signal C_(drive) having the same frequency f_(drive), as andsynchronized with the driving signal in the balanced mixer 97. Theoutput of the balanced mixer is either positive or negative depending onwhether the resonant frequency of the coil/capacitor circuit is above orbelow the driving signal frequency.

The output of the balanced mixer, offset by the bias voltage, isintegrated in the sampled integrator 99 which produces at its outputport a sample of the integration at intervals of the bit period andmaintains each sample at its output port until a new sample becomesavailable. The output from the sampled integrator controls the frequencyof the VCO in the VCO/CGC 13 thereby causing the VCO frequency and thedriving signal frequency (which is derived from the VCO frequency) toeither increase or decrease until the driving signal frequency is offsetfrom the coil/capacitor resonant frequency by an amount determined bythe magnitude of the bias voltage and in a direction determined by thesign of the bias voltage.

When the coil/capacitor circuit reaches a state of resonance ornear-resonance, the coil signal is approximately a quarter-cycle out ofphase with the driving signal, the output of the balanced mixer is zero,and the output of the sampled integrator remains constant until theresonant frequency of the coil/capacitor circuit changes.

Data transmitted from a tag 3 to the reader 1 is extracted from thesignal appearing at terminals 1 and 4 of the coupling circuit 7 bydevices 103, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 in exactly the same way as thesame function was accomplished by devices 75, 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 inFIG. 6.

The preferred embodiment of the driver 11 is shown in FIG. 8. Thisembodiment utilizes the microprocessor 113, the four level shifters 115,116, 117, and 118, and the driving circuit 119 to generate a steppedwaveform. The generated waveform can be a simple two-level square waveor a more complicated three-level waveform. The preferred waveform isthe three-level waveform for which regions centered on the zerocrossings of a sine wave are represented by a zero level, thenegative-value regions of the sine wave are represented by a negativelevel, and the positive-value regions of the sine wave are representedby a positive level, the absolute values of the negative and positivelevels being equal.

The levels of four two-level waveforms F_(P1)(nΔt), F_(N1)(nΔt),F_(P2)(nΔt), and F_(N2)(nΔt) for one cycle are stored in themicroprocessor 113 and retrieved at intervals of At and suppliedrespectively to the level shifters 115, 116, 117, and 118 which convertthe two-level input waveforms into two-level output waveforms, thelevels of the two-level output waveforms being such that the associatedfield-effect transistors in the driving circuit 119 either conductcurrent or do not conduct. The waveforms with P subscripts drive theP-channel devices and the ones with N subscripts drive the N-channeldevices in the driving circuit 119.

One cycle of the two-level waveforms is represented by values of nranging from 0 to N-1 where N is a predetermined integer. Thus, NΔt isthe period of the driving signal. The clock signal C_(m1) with frequencyf_(m1) is supplied by the VCO/CGC 13 to the microprocessor 113 andcauses the microprocessor to produce levels at its output at the f_(m1)rate. The frequency f_(m1) divided by N equals the frequency f_(drive)of the output signal of the driver 11. The address n of a level isobtained by the counter 121 counting modulo N the cycles of the clocksignal C_(m1).

The amplitude of the output signal of the driver 11 is governed by themicroprocessor 113 in accordance with the clock signals C_(dm0) andC_(dm1) supplied by VCO/CGC 13 and the data bit stream D supplied by themicroprocessor 17. The reader 1 can use phase shift keying, frequencyshift keying, or a combination of the two in transmitting data to thetag.

Phase shift keying is accomplished in the following way. If the low andhigh values of the clock signals are represented by “0” and “1”respectively, then switches 120 and 122 connect V_(DD1) and V_(SS1) tothe driving circuit 119 whenever (C_(dm0)+D)_(modulo 2)=1. Switches 120and 122 connect V_(DD2) and V_(SS2) to the driving circuit 119 whenever(C_(dm)+D)_(modulo 2)0. Alternatively, C_(dm1) could be used instead ofC_(dm0) in implementing phase shift keying. The difference betweenV_(DD1) and V_(SS1) is approximately 10 volts. The difference betweenV_(DD2) and V_(SS2) is approximately 12 volts.

Frequency shift keying is accomplished by driving the switches 120 and122 with either C_(dm0) or C_(dm1) depending on the value of the bit tobe transmitted to the tag.

Twice the communication capacity can be realized by selecting eitherC_(dm0) or C_(dm1) in accordance with a first bit stream and selectingthe phase of the selected C_(dm0) or C_(dm1) in accordance with a secondbit stream.

The driving circuit 119 consists of the two power-handling P-channelfield-effect transistors 125 and 127 and the two power-handlingN-channel field-effect transistors 129 and 131. If the voltages appliedto the gates of transistors 125 and 131 permit the transistors toconduct current, current will flow from the V_(DD) supply throughtransistor 125 to terminal 2 of the coupling and from terminal 3 of thecoupling circuit through transistor 131 to the V_(SS) supply.

Similarly, if the voltages applied to the gates of transistors 127 and129 permit the transistors to conduct current, current will flow fromthe V_(DD) supply through transistor 127 to terminal 3 of the couplingand from terminal 2 of the coupling circuit through transistor 129 tothe V_(SS) supply.

Since the transistors 125, 127, 129, and 131 are all individuallycontrolled, each transistor may be on or off at any particular time.

Field-effect transistors 125, 127, 129, and 131 can be all N-channeldevices which are smaller, less expensive, have lower “on” resistance,and are more plentiful on the market than P-channel devices. In order toaccommodate the N-channel devices, the gates would be coupled to levelshifters 115, 116, 117, and 118 by transformers. It is possible togenerate less sophisticated driving signals with a single transformerhaving one primary winding and four secondary windings, one for eachtransistor gate. One level shifter would be used to drive the primarywinding of the transformer.

A class of driving signals can be generated where the waveforms suppliedby the microprocessor 113 to level shifters 116 and 117 are simplyinverted versions of the waveforms supplied to level shifters 115 and118 respectively. In fact, there are many possible alternatives forgenerating the signals to be applied to the gates of field-effecttransistors 125, 127, 129, and 131 and achieve the objectives of thepresent invention.

The resistors 133, 135, 137, and 139 prevent ringing in the gatecircuits on turn-on of the transistors and slow down the turn-on time.The diodes 141, 143, 145, and 147 protect the gates of thepower-handling field-effect transistors from voltage spikes which couldcause progressive gate damage and eventual failure.

The microprocessor 17 is a commercially-available microprocessor havinga performance level equal to or greater than an 80051 or 87C51. Dataand/or commands are entered into the microprocessor by means of akeyboard or switches in the control unit 21 or by means of a RS-232Cinterface with the microprocessor. A message entered for transmission toa tag is stored in the microprocessor memory. When a command to “sendmessage” is entered, the subroutine shown in FIG. 9 is performed by themicroprocessor.

In the absence of commands from microprocessor 17, the microprocessor113 in the driver 11, provides inputs to the level shifters 115, 116,117, and 118 that result in voltages at their output ports that preventany current from flowing through terminals 2 and 3 of the couplingcircuit 7. The microprocessor 17, upon receiving the “send message”command, performs step 161 in FIG. 9 thereby causing the microprocessor113 in the driver 11 to clear the counter 121 and then to generate thetwo- or three-level waveforms. The microprocessor 17 transmits asynchronization pattern consisting of alternating “0's” and “1's” duringstep 163 for a period of time sufficient for the tag to achieve bitsynchronization. Then, in step 165, the microprocessor 17 starts sendingthe message data D stored in memory to the microprocessor 113 in thedriver 11. The microprocessor 17 continually performs the “send message”program for as long as the “send message” command is entered into themicroprocessor by the user. The microprocessor 17 shuts the driver downafter the message transmission has been completed if the “send message”command no longer appears at the input port of the microprocessor.

Tag synchronization and validation, as described in the material thatfollows, permits tag data to be received that may contain embedded syncpatterns. This capability is important in that it allows the full tagdata space to be utilized for the transmission of arbitrary data.Without this capability, other means would have to be used such as bitstuffing or sync filtering to remove sync patterns from the transmittedtag data. Such processes are undesirable in that they restrict thepossible tag data space or impose a high penalty in the number of bitsavailable for the transmission of data.

When the “receive message” command is entered into the microprocessor 17by the user, the microprocessor performs the operations indicated eitherin FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

The process of FIG. 10 begins with step 167 where the microprocessor 17activates the driver 11 and establishes an alternating magnetic field bymeans of coil 5 and transmits the bit synchronization pattern for aperiod of time sufficient for the tag to achieve bit synchronization.The tag 3, if it determines that the alternating magnetic field carriesno data after the transmission of the bit synchronization patternceases, repeatedly transmits a 96-bit message stored in themicroprocessor 61 memory until the alternating magnetic field is nolonger generated by the reader 1. The 96 bits are comprised of a 2-bitpreamble (01), an 8-bit synchronization sequence (01111110), a 6-bitprotocol, and an 80-bit encrypted version of 64 bits of tag data and a16-bit checksum for the tag data that allows error detection by thereader. The protocol word identifies the process to be used inconverting the 80-bit encrypted tag data-and-checksum sequence intomeaningful tag data. The checksum is determined in accordance with theCCITT V.41 code-independent error-control system.

The microprocessor 17 waits in step 169 for a 01 combination (which mayor may not be the 2-bit preamble) to be received from the sampledintegrator 83 in the resonance -tracking modem 15, indicating that bitsynchronization has been achieved by the tag and that data is beingreceived. Then, in step 171, the microprocessor 17 accumulates another94 bits, for a total of 96 bits including the initial 01 combination,(numbered from 0 to 95 according to order of arrival) and stores them inmemory.

In step 173, bits 2-9 are compared with the synchronization sequence. Ifthere is a match, bits 10-15 are compared with the protocol sequence instep 175. If there is a match, the 80-bit tag data sequence is decryptedin step 177 and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is made in step 179 bydividing the polynomial D₇₉X⁷⁹+D₇₈X⁷⁸+D₇₇X⁷⁷+ . . . +D₀X⁰ by thegenerating polynomial X¹⁶+X¹²X⁵+1. If there is a zero remainder, the CRCindicates an absence of errors, in which case the microprocessor 17terminates the generation of the alternating magnetic field and causesthe tag data to be displayed on display 23.

If the results of any of the steps 173, 175, and 181 is negative, thenthe microprocessor 17 waits in step 185 for the next bit to bedetermined by the phase-shift-keying demodulator comprising the balancedmixer 81 and the sampled integrator 83 or the frequency-shift-keyingdemodulator comprising the balanced mixers 81 and 82 and the sampledintegrators 83 and 84, assigns this bit the number 96, discards the bitnumbered 0, and reduces the numbers of all of the remaining bits by 1.The microprocessor then repeats the steps beginning with step 173 unlessthe number of bits received exceeds 192 (step 189) in which case themicroprocessor returns to the beginning of the program.

The alternative process shown in FIG. 11 is more complex than the oneshown in FIG. 10 but is less demanding insofar as real-time processingis concerned. The process begins with step 201 where the microprocessor17 activates the driver 11 and establishes an alternating magnetic fieldby means of coil 5.

The microprocessor 17 waits in step 203 for a 01 combination to bereceived from the sampled integrator 83 in the resonance-tracking modem15, indicating that bit synchronization has been achieved by the tag andthat data is being received. Then, in step 205, the microprocessor 17accumulates the next 8 bits (numbered from 0 to 7) and compares them instep 207 with the synchronization sequence. If there is not a match, themicroprocessor waits in step 209 for the next bit to become available.In step 211, the bit numbers are increased by 1, the oldest bit(numbered 8) is discarded, the newest bit is added and assigned thenumber 0, and the process beginning with step 207 is repeated unless thetotal number of bits received exceeds 96 (step 213) in which case themicroprocessor returns to the beginning of the program.

If at step 207 there is a match between bits 0-7 and the synchronizationsequence, then an additional 88 bits, numbered from 8 to 95, isaccumulated in step 217. Bits 8-13 are compared with the protocolsequence in step 219. If there is a match, the following 80 bits aredecrypted in step 221, and the cyclic redundancy check is made in step223. If the remainder is zero (indicating no errors), the microprocessorterminates the generation of the alternating magnetic field and causesthe tag data to appear on display 23.

If either of the steps 219 or 225 give negative results, then in step227 the numbers associated with the 96 bits being processed areincreased by 1 except for the bit numbered 95 which is renumbered 0. Ifthe total number of passes through step 227 is less than 96 (step 229),bits 0-7 are compared with the synchronization sequence in step 231, andif there is a match, the process is repeated beginning with step 219.

If at step 229 the total number of passes through step 227 is not lessthan 96, then the microprocessor returns to the beginning of theprogram.

The preferred embodiment of the coupling circuit 53 in the tag 3 dependson the characteristics of the components to which it connects, the needfor achieving the greatest possible transfer of power from the source tothe sinks, and the sensitivity of tag customers to the costs of tags andreaders.

The simplest embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 where all terminals shown atthe left of the coupling circuit 53 in FIG. 1 are connected together andall terminals at the right are connected together. There are few meansof optimization with this arrangement and communication range betweenreader and tag is likely to be sacrificed as a result. On the otherhand, it is the least costly embodiment of the coil/couplingcircuit/capacitor circuit 50, 53, and 55.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 provide a means of improvingthe power transfer efficiency between reader and tag by utilizing theimpedance transforming characteristics of a transformer. In addition,the impedance transforming properties of a transformer allows a greaterlatitude in designing the coil 50 and selecting the capacitor 55.

Adding a third winding to the transformer, as shown in FIG. 15 providesadditional opportunities for optimization of the coil/couplingcircuit/capacitor circuit 50, 53, and 55. It is still necessary withthis circuit for the resonance-tracking modem 57 and the AC/DC powerconverter 63 to share a transformer winding and similarly for thecapacitor 55 and the driver 59.

Adding a fourth winding to the transformer, as shown in FIG. 16, permitsthe disparate requirements of the resonance tracking modem 57 and theAC/DC power converter 63 to be satisfied.

Finally, adding a fifth winding to the transformer, as shown in FIG. 17,allows each device drawing power from the coil 50 to have its ownindividual winding tailored to its own needs.

The choice of an embodiment of the coupling circuit 53 is made on thebasis of availability of components, performance requirements imposed bythe application, and cost. The design of multi-winding transformers forthe purpose of optimizing power transfer or achieving other goals iswell understood by those knowledgeable in the art.

The resonance-tracking modem 57 performs three functions. It extractsthe data transmitted by the reader 1 from the signal appearing on thecoil 50 and supplies this data to the microprocessor 61. It accepts datafrom the microprocessor for transmission to the reader and generatesappropriate waveforms for this purpose that are supplied to the driver59. And it maintains the coil/coupling circuit/capacitor combination 50,53, and 55 in resonance or near resonance.

The preferred embodiment of the resonance-tracking modem 57 is shown inFIG. 18. The signal appearing on terminals 5 and 10 of the couplingcircuit 53 enters the amplitude demodulator 251, frequency divider 253,frequency divider 255, and frequency divider 285. The amplitudedemodulator removes the amplitude modulation from the arriving signal,blocks the DC component, and feeds the resulting DC-blocked amplitudemodulation into the two balanced mixers 257 and 259.

The frequency divider 253 generates a DC-blocked square wave signal offrequency f_(fm) by dividing down the input signal which has thefrequency f_(drive). This square wave is synchronized with the amplitudemodulation from amplitude demodulator 251 as a result of the signalsintroduced at the bottom of the frequency divider 253 block.

The square wave produced by the frequency divider 253 constitutes thesecond input to the balanced mixer 257 and causes the DC-blockedamplitude modulation to be reversed in sign whenever the square wave isnegative. The output of the balanced mixer 257, offset by the biasvoltage, enters the sampled integrator 261 which continually integratesthe incoming signal and provides at its output port the value of theintegration at intervals of the bit period. Bit synchronizing signalsare introduced at the bottom of the sampled integrator 261 block.

The sampled integrator 261 maintains the most recent integration valueat its output terminal until a new integration value is determined. Theoutput of the sampled integrator controls the capacitance of capacitor55 or, alternatively, the inductance of coil 50, the capacitance or theinductance, as the case may be, being a monotonically increasing ordecreasing function of the control signal magnitude.

If the capacitor 55 comprises a plurality of capacitors selectivelyconnected in parallel to obtain a desired capacitance value, then theoutput of the sampled integrator 261 is converted to a plurality ofbinary signals, each of which controls a switch associated with each ofthe plurality of capacitors that may be connected into a parallelconfiguration. The values of the individual capacitors are so chosen andthe switching signals are so designed that the total capacitance of thecapacitors connected in parallel is an increasing or decreasing functionof the output of the sampled integrator.

The operations performed by the balanced mixer 257 and the sampledintegrator 261 result in a change in the integration quantity over a bitperiod of KA/f_(br) where K is a positive constant, A is the value (apositive or negative number) of the DC-blocked amplitude modulation whenthe DC-blocked square wave from the frequency divider 253 is positive,and f_(br) is the bit rate.

When the reader 1 initiates a transmission, it frequency modulates thedriving signal at a frequency of f_(fm) which also results in an f_(fm)component in the amplitude modulation if the coil 5, coupling circuit 7,and capacitors 9 in the reader are not in resonance. However, theresonance-tracking demodulator 15 in the reader quickly adjusts thedriving frequency to match the resonant frequency of the circuit and bythe time the tag 3 is powered up and ready to operate there isessentially no f_(fm) component in the amplitude modulation of thealternating magnetic field produced by the reader coil 5.

If the coil 50, coupling circuit 53, and capacitor 55 in the tag 3 arenot in resonance, the square-wave modulation of the driving frequency bythe reader will cause an f_(fm) component to appear in the amplitudemodulation of the signal appearing across terminals 5 and 10 of thecoupling circuit 53. As a result, the output from the sampled integrator261 will increase if A is positive and decrease if A is negative,thereby causing the capacitance of capacitor 55 or the inductance ofcoil 50 to change in a way that brings the coil 50, coupling circuit 53,and capacitor 55 into resonance or near to resonance, depending upon thevalue of the bias voltage applied to the balanced mixer 257. Atsteady-state, the f_(fm) component appearing in the amplitude modulationof the signal across terminals 5 and 10 of the coupling circuit 53equals the bias voltage and the output from the sampled integrator nolonger increases or decreases.

If the coil, coupling circuit, and capacitor start to drift out ofresonance or from the chosen point of near-resonance, the f_(fm)component in the amplitude modulation changes, and the sampledintegrator automatically changes the capacitance or inductance to bringthe circuit back into resonance or to the desired point ofnear-resonance.

When the reader 1 initiates a transmission, it also begins modulatingthe alternating magnetic field in amplitude with the square wave offrequency f_(dm0) and shifting the phase by 180 degrees at the beginningof each bit period. The amplitude modulation resulting from the f_(dm0)signal is greater than the amplitude modulation resulting from thefrequency modulation by a factor of at least two or three.

The output signal from the amplitude demodulator 251 passes throughswitch 262 and enters pulse generator 263. Each time the signal crossesthe zero axis, the pulse generator 263 generates a pulse having aduration equal to about ½f_(dm0). The DC-blocked square wave offrequency f_(dm0) from frequency divider 255 passes through switch 265and enters pulse generator 267. The pulse generator 267 generates apulse having a duration equal to about ½f_(dm0) for eachnegative-to-positive transition of the square wave from frequencydivider 255.

The pulses from pulse generators 263 and 267 are ANDed in AND gate 269and the pulse from pulse generator 263 and the inverse of the pulse frompulse generator 267 are ANDed in AND gate 271. An uninterruptedsuccession of coincident pulses from the two pulse generators cause thecounter 273 to count up to four at which point the counter produces asignal which passes through switch 275 and sets the flip-flop 277causing the Qbar output of the flip-flop to go to zero and the switches262, 265, 275, and 279 to connect to the other terminals. The counteroutput provides reasonable assurance that the square wave of frequencyf_(dm0) produced by frequency divider 255 is in synchronism with thesquare-wave clock signal of frequency faro generated in the reader 1.

If, however, a pulse produced by pulse generator 263 is not accompaniedby a pulse from pulse generator 267, a pulse is produced by AND gate 271since the flip-flop 280 is reset when a tag 3 is first activated andQbar remains equal to 1 until the counter 273 sets the flip-flop. Theoutput pulse from the AND gate 271 clears the counter of any counts thathave been accumulated and also passes through switch 279 and clears thefrequency divider 255 so that the next pulse generated by the pulsegenerator 267 should coincide with the next pulse generated by the pulsegenerator 263 and result in f_(dm0) synchronization.

The frequency divider 255 generates a DC-blocked square wave offrequency f_(dm0) from the incoming signal and this square wave causesthe DC-blocked amplitude modulation extracted by amplitude demodulator251 from the incoming signal to be reversed in sign in balanced mixer259 whenever the DC-blocked square wave is negative. The result is asquare wave signal at the output port of the balanced mixer 259 whichcrosses the zero axis at the bit rate f_(br).

The square wave signal from the balanced mixer 259 passes through switch262 and enters pulse generator 263 after f_(dm0) synchronization hasbeen achieved. Each time the square wave from the balanced mixer 259crosses the zero axis, the pulse generator 263 generates a pulse havinga duration equal to about ½f_(dm).

The DC-blocked square wave of frequency f_(dm) from frequency divider255 is further divided in frequency divider 281 to give a square wave offrequency f_(br). The f_(br) square wave passes through switch 265 andenters pulse generator 267 which generates a pulse having a durationequal to about ½f_(dm0) for each negative-to-positive transition of thesquare wave from frequency divider 281.

The pulses from pulse generators 263 and 267 are ANDed in AND gate 269and the pulse from pulse generator 263 and the inverse of the pulse frompulse generator 267 are ANDed in AND gate 271. An uninterruptedsuccession of coincident pulses from the two pulse generators cause thecounter 273 to count up to four at which point the counter produces asignal which passes through switch 275 and sets the flip-flop 280causing the Qbar output of the flip -flop to go to zero. The counteroutput provides reasonable assurance that the square wave of frequencyf_(br) produced by frequency divider 281 is in synchronism with thesquare-wave clock signal of frequency f_(br) generated in the reader 1.In other words, an output from counter 273 indicates bit synchronizationbetween the reader 1 and a tag 3.

If, however, a pulse produced by pulse generator 263 is not accompaniedby a pulse from pulse generator 267, a pulse is produced by AND gate 271since the flip-flop 280 is reset when a tag 3 is first activated andQbar remains equal to 1 until the counter 273 sets the flip-flop. Theoutput pulse from the AND gate 271 clears the counter of any counts thathave been accumulated and also passes through switch 279 and clears thefrequency divider 281 so that the next pulse generated by the pulsegenerator 267 should coincide with the next pulse generated by the pulsegenerator 263 and result in bit synchronization.

The pulses that clear frequency divider 281 also clear frequency divider253. As a result, the last pulse that clears frequency divider 281 andbrings about bit synchronization also brings about f_(fm)synchronization by clearing frequency divider 253.

The pulses that clear frequency divider 281 also clear the frequencydivider 285 which generates a DC-blocked square wave of frequencyf_(dm1) from the incoming signal that is synchronized with the f_(dm1)signal in the reader 1. This square wave causes the DC-blocked amplitudemodulation extracted by amplitude demodulator 251 from the incomingsignal to be reversed in sign in balanced mixer 260 whenever theDC-blocked square wave is negative.

After allowing time for a tag 3 to achieve bit synchronization, thereader 1 begins sending data. The incoming bits are identified by meansof the balanced mixers 259 and 260 and the sampled integrators 282 and284 in the same way as the similar task was accomplished in the readerwith balanced mixers 81 and 82 and sampled integrators 83 and 84 (seeFIG. 6).

The pulses from pulse generator 267 are used by the sampled integrator261 as indices of the beginnings and endings of the integration periodsbefore bit synchronization is achieved.

After bit synchronization is achieved and data is not being transmittedby the reader 1, a tag 3 transmits data to the reader. The data isstored in the microprocessor 61 and supplied to the resonance-trackingmodem 57 in accordance with the bit rate clock signal generated byfrequency divider 281.

The microprocessor 61 can be programmed to use either phase shiftkeying, frequency shift keying, or a combination of the two. Phase shiftkeying is accomplished by maintaining switch 287 in the position shownin FIG. 18 and the phase of the f_(dm0) signal from the frequencydivider 255 is shifted in phase by 0 or 180 degrees by balancedmodulator 283 depending on whether the bit supplied by microprocessor 61is a “0” or “1” respectively. The signal out of switch 287 provides theinput to the driver 59.

Frequency shift keying is accomplished by maintaining the microprocessor61 inputs to the balanced modulators 283 and 289 at positive levels andchanging the position of switch 285 in accordance with the bit value tobe transmitted.

Twice the communication capacity can be realized by utilizing phaseshift keying and frequency shift keying simultaneously by supplying afirst bit stream to the balanced modulators 283 and 289 and a second bitstream to the switch 287.

It was mentioned earlier that a means is provided in the reader 1 ofFIG. 1 for demodulating the frequency-shift-keyed (FSK) signals that areproduced by many existing tags. The demodulation process is accomplishedby the microprocessor 17 in accordance with the routines shown in FIGS.19 and 20.

In FIG. 19 is shown the routine for determining the period of theamplitude modulation of the signal received by the reader 1. Thezero-crossing detector 85 (FIG. 6) produces an interrupt of themicroprocessor 17 (FIG. 1) each time a positive zero crossing occurs inthe amplitude modulation of the received signal. This interrupt causesthe routine of FIG. 19 to be executed.

In step 301 the time since the last interrupt occurred is copied fromthe free running timer register 303 into the temporary register 305 andthe timer register is then cleared.

The value in the temporary register is compared with a predeterminedhigh value high L for the low FSK frequency L in step 307. If the valueis less than or equal to high L, the value is compared with thepredetermined low value low H of the high FSK frequency H in step 309.If the value is greater than low H, an error is declared in step 311 andthe routine returns to the beginning in step 313 to wait for the nextinterrupt.

If the value is found to be greater than high _L in step 307, the valueis compared with the predetermined high value high H of the high FSKfrequency H in step 315. If the value is greater than high H, an erroris declared in step 311 and the routine returns to the beginning in step313 to wait for the next interrupt.

If the value is found to be less than or equal to low _H in step 309 andless than or equal to the predetermined low value low _L of the low FSKfrequency L in step 317, an error is declared in step 311 and theroutine returns to the beginning in step 313 to wait for the nextinterrupt.

If the value is found to be less than or equal to high_H in step 315, itis concluded that the high FSK frequency was transmitted by the tag andthe FSK bit variable is set to ONE in step 319. The ONEs counter 321 andthe SAMPLES counter 323 are incremented in step 325 and the routinereturns to the beginning in step 313 to wait for the next interrupt.

If the value is found to be greater than low _L in step 317, it isconcluded that the low FSK frequency was transmitted by the tag and theFSK bit variable is reset to ZERO in step 319. The SAMPLES counter 323is incremented in step 329 and the routine returns to the beginning instep 313 to wait for the next interrupt.

The routine shown in FIG. 20 starts when the reader initiates aninterrogation of a tag. The microprocessor waits in step 331 until theFSK variable is ZERO and then waits in step 333 until the FSK variableis ONE. A transition from ZERO to ONE indicates the beginning of a bitperiod and the bit rate timer 335 is started when this occurs.

The microprocessor waits in step 337 for the beginning of the next bitperiod as indicated by the bit-rate timer 335 and then proceeds in step339 to compare half the value in the SAMPLES counter 323 of FIG. 19 withthe value in the ONEs counter 321 of FIG. 19. If the SAMPLES valuedivided by two is greater than the ONEs value, the bit received duringthe current bit period is recorded as a ZERO in step 341. If the SAMPLESvalue divided by two is less than or equal to the ONEs value, the bitreceived during the current bit period is recorded as a ONE in step 343.

The ONEs counter 321 and the SAMPLES counter 321 are cleared in step 345and the routine returns in step 347 to step 337 to wait for thebeginning of the next pit period.

The preferred embodiment has been described in terms of a tag 3 thatreceives its power from the alternating magnetic field generated by thereader 1. The reader-tag system described herein also functionssatisfactorily if the tag is powered by an independent power source suchas a battery. It is also not essential that the tag transmit itsinformation while the reader is generating an alternating magneticfield. For example, the reader may trigger a tag by generating analternating magnetic field for a time period long enough for the tag toobtain timing information. Then the reader ceases to generate itsalternating magnetic field and listens for a response from the tag.

In the preferred embodiment, the reader 1 and the tag 3 communicate datato each other by phase shift keying and/or frequency shift keying aperiodic signal which in turn modulates the amplitude of a carriersignal. Other acceptable ways of communicating data are by phase shiftkeying and/or frequency shift keying a periodic signal which in turnmodulates the phase or frequency of the carrier signal and by phaseshift keying and/or frequency shift keying the carrier signal directly.

1. A tag for use with a reader, the reader communicating a sequence ofbits to the tag by transmitting a first signal during a bit period whena “0” bit is to be communicated and a second signal during a bit periodwhen a “1” is to be communicated, the reader embedding a bit-timingclock signal originating in the reader in the transmitted signals, thetag comprising: a coil; a capacitor; a means for coupling the capacitorto the coil and coupling the coil to at least one other means, thesignal(s) provided to the other means as a result of the coupling beingcalled coupling-means signal(s), the combination of the coil, thecapacitor, and the coupling means being called the resonating circuit; ameans for generating a bit-timing clock signal that is synchronized tothe bit-timing clock signal originating in the reader and embedded inthe transmitted signals; a means for identifying the bit beingtransmitted during each bit period, the beginning and ending of each bitperiod being indicated by the bit-timing clock signal synchronized tothe bit-timing signal generated by and originating in the reader.
 2. Atag for use with a reader, the reader transmitting a bit-timing clocksignal originating in the reader to the tag, the tag comprising: a coil;a capacitor; a means for coupling the capacitor to the coil; a means fordriving the coil with a driving signal; a means for generating thedriving signal; a means for generating a bit-timing clock signalsynchronized to the bit-timing clock signal originating in the reader; ameans for embedding a sequence of bits to be communicated to a reader inthe driving signal, the start of each bit being controlled by thebit-timing clock signal generated in the tag and synchronized to thebit-timing clock signal originating in the reader.
 3. A method forinterrogating a tag comprising the steps: generating an alternatingmagnetic field; embedding a bit-timing clock signal originating with theinterrogator in the alternating magnetic field; embedding data to becommunicated to a tag in the alternating magnetic field.
 4. A method forinterrogating a tag, the tag responding to an interrogation bytransmitting a sequence of bits, the start of each bit being determinedby a bit-timing clock signal generated by the tag and synchronized witha bit-timing clock signal originating with the interrogator, the methodcomprising the steps: generating a bit-timing clock signal originatingwith the interrogator; generating an alternating magnetic field in whichthe bit-timing clock signal originating with and generated by theinterrogator is embedded; extracting data transmitted by the tagutilizing the bit-timing clock signal originating with the interrogator.5. A method for responding to the establishment of an alternatingmagnetic field by a reader, a bit-timing signal originating in thereader being embedded in the alternating magnetic field by the reader,the method comprising the steps: deriving a signal from the alternatingmagnetic field; generating a bit-timing clock signal that issynchronized to the bit-timing clock signal originating in the readerand embedded by the reader in the alternating magnetic field; generatingan alternating magnetic field; modulating the alternating fieldgenerated by the responder with a sequence of bits to be communicated toa reader, the start of each transmitted bit being governed by thebit-timing clock signal that is synchronized to the bit-timing clocksignal originating in the reader.